Dubai public transport system in 2024
Dubai has a modern and technologically advanced public transport system. The Dubai metro is famous all over the world: it is fully automated and does not require a driver; most of the metro lines are on the surface. Buses, trams as well as a monorail also operate in Dubai, however, they do not cover the entire city, so taxis and private cars remain the most popular means of transportation in Dubai.
Taxi in Dubai
The main taxi service in Dubai is the state-governed RTA Taxi. It is administered by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority. RTA Taxi can be hailed from the street or at a taxi rank; it can also be requested on the S’hail app.
You can order a taxi in Dubai by calling +971-4-208-0808 or by SMS. If you are standing at one of the taxi ranks, send an SMS with the parking number to 4774. You will receive a response with detailed information about the car that is on the way.
Another taxi option in Dubai is Hala, a joint venture between RTA and Careem — a major Eastern IT company. Hala Taxi can be requested on the Careem app.
Additionally, taxis can be booked on the official app of Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC), a subsidiary of RTA. A well-known Uber taxi service is also available in Dubai. In 2022, several new private taxi services entered the Dubai market. Those include XXRide, WOW, Koi and Wikiride. All private taxi companies in Dubai are regulated to some extent by the city authorities. For example, Uber has entered into an agreement with RTA regarding its rates and the number of cars in their depot.
There is also a separate taxi for women in Dubai. Its cars have pink roofs, which makes them easily recognisable on the streets. Such taxis are driven by women, and their passengers can be women and children under 10 years of age. A man can only use the services of such taxis if the other passenger is a woman. You can order a taxi for women on the DTC app or at a taxi rank.
Taxi fares in Dubai:
- When ordering from the airport, a taximeter starts at 25 dirhams, and then it is 2.33 dirhams per kilometre.
- From 6 am to 10 pm, a taximeter starts at 5 dirhams, and then it is 2.19 dirhams per kilometre.
- From 10 pm to 6 am, a taximeter starts at 5.5 dirhams, and then it is 2.19 dirhams per kilometre.
Dubai Transport Cards (NOL Cards)
There is a single transport card that you can pay with for all types of public transport in Dubai — the NOL card. It is issued by RTA, so RTA Taxi taxis can also be paid with this card. Transport cards are usually sold at metro stations and bus stops.
There are four types of NOL cards: red, gold, silver and blue.
Red transport cards are used for single trips. Gold, silver and blue cards operate as an electronic wallet for paying for travel on various types of public transport.
Gold cards allow their holders to ride in «gold» cars, while silver cards are used in ordinary ones. Blue cards can only be purchased by residents of Dubai. Such a card has a photo of the cardholder, and an identity document is required for its issuance.
You need to validate your transport card twice: first, at the entrance to the metro, and then at the exit from it.
An important and distinctive feature of Dubai transport cards is that they have an obligatory balance of 7.5 dirhams. If the card balance is less than that, the card is blocked for use until its balance is replenished.
The city is divided into several zones with different taxi fares in each zone. The fare depends on the zone, the distance travelled and the type of NOL card used for payment.
Silver card | Golden card | Blue card | Red card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Within one zone | 3 dirhams | 6 dirhams | 3 dirhams | 4 dirhams |
Between two zones | 5 dirhams | 10 dirhams | 5 dirhams | 6 dirhams |
Between three zones or more | 7.5 dirhams | 15 dirhams | 7.5 dirhams | 8.5 dirhams |
Buses in Dubai
More than 1,500 buses operate in Dubai on 119 different routes. For comparison: there are more than 8,000 buses in London. Dubai bus routes cover 82% of the city’s territory.
Buses are generally considered comfortable and affordable means of transportation in Dubai. Bus stops have air conditioning, and there are separate passenger compartments for women and children.
You can pay for the bus ride with the NOL card.
Metro in Dubai
The Dubai Metro is best known for its driverless trains. The metro network consists of 53 stations and 2 metro lines: red and green. The Dubai Metro carried 109.7 million passengers in the first half of 2022.
The metro opens at 5 am from Monday to Saturday and at 8 am on Sunday. It closes at 12 am every day except Friday, when it stays open until 1 am.
Monorail in Dubai
The Palm Jumeirah Monorail in Dubai is built along the Palm Jumeirah island. It runs at a height of 10 metres from the ground and passes through all of the main attractions of the district. It takes 10 minutes to reach the Atlantis hotel on the edge of Palm Jumeirah from the first monorail station.
The monorail starts working at 9 am and stops at 9:45 pm. Trains run every 15 minutes.
One monorail ride costs 10 dirhams.
Trams in Dubai
The Dubai Tram was launched in 2014. This is one of the youngest types of public transport in Dubai. The tram passes through areas such as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Al Sufouh and has helped to significantly reduce the traffic jams in popular tourist areas. A tram line connects the Dubai Metro with the Palm Jumeirah Monorail.
Each tram can carry about 400 passengers, and there are special tram-cars for women and children. There are also more comfortable and spacious «golden» tram-cars.
Currently, the tram route consists of 11 stops. You can pay for the ride with the NOL card.
Dubai Water Transport
Water taxis in Dubai are one of the oldest means of transportation in the country. Nowadays, it is used mainly by tourists. Water taxis have a network of 44 stations and cruise along the Persian Gulf and the Dubai Canal. Many water taxis now look like ultra-modern boats, equipped with air conditioning and TVs; however, more traditional wooden boats (abras) can also be found. Abras mostly cruise in Dubai Creek.
Water taxi fares are also paid for with a transport card.
Dubai Public Transport Fines
- A fine of 100 dirhams is imposed for smoking, eating, drinking or chewing gum.
- A fine of up to 100 dirhams is imposed for boarding in the wrong carriage (tram-car, compartment) and not the one indicated on the ticket.
- A fine of 300 dirhams is imposed for sleeping at metro stations and public transport stops.
- A fine of 100 dirhams is imposed for being drunk on public transport or carrying alcohol.
- A fine of 100 dirhams is imposed for sitting on the seats intended for pregnant women and the disabled, while not being pregnant or disabled.
- A fine of 2,000 dirhams is imposed for using emergency buttons and emergency communication consoles without the need.
- A fine of 100 dirhams is imposed for the disturbance of public order by doing any of these: carrying animals, littering, making loud noises or engaging in other activities that may disturb the passengers.
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